利用cryparin基因的启动子构建板栗疫病菌高效表达载体

低毒病毒/板栗疫病菌是研究植物病原菌致病机理和病毒与宿主相互作用的一个优秀模式系统.本研究克隆了板栗疫病菌转录水平最高的cryparin基因的启动子,并构建了由该启动子控制的表达载体.构建的载体能成功表达GFP蛋白.利用该载体表达积累量较高的CHV1-Euro7病毒的病毒量控制基因,能提高细胞内CHV1-EP721的积累量,反式互补效率从常用的gpd启动子控制的低于10%提高至67%和80%.高效表达载体的成功构建,为研究板栗疫病菌功能基因以及低毒病毒与宿主板栗疫病菌的相互作用提供了新的工具.     

板栗疫病菌cpnat基因的功能分析

赖氨酸乙酰化是一种重要的蛋白质翻译后修饰,广泛参与多种生命过程的调节.目前,赖氨酸乙酰化修饰在植物病原真菌——板栗疫病菌中的功能和调节机制尚无报道.本研究克隆了板栗疫病菌的编码乙酰转移酶的cpnat基因,成功构建了cpnat基因的缺失突变体Δcpnat,与野生型菌株相比,板栗疫病菌cpnat基因缺失株生长速率不变,气生菌丝变浓密,菌丝末端分支变多,色素明显减少,产孢能力显著降低,致病力也降低.cpnat基因的缺失并不影响参与信号传导途径的cpga1、cpgb1、cpmk1、cpmk2和ste12基因的转录水平,表明其对色素、产孢和致病力的调控是通过尚未被发现的途径实现的.本研究结果为揭示乙酰化修饰在病原真菌中的功能提供了新的知识.     

板栗疫病菌cpomt基因的功能

板栗疫病菌(Cryphonectria parasitica)是引起板栗疫病的一种丝状子囊菌。UV57是一个不支持病毒复制且致病力丧失的C.parasitica紫外诱变突变株。前期蛋白质组研究结果显示,蛋白86233(一种甲基转移酶)只在UV57中出现,而在野生型对照株EP155中没有检测到。为研究编码86233蛋白的cpomt基因的功能,本研究通过同源重组方法成功构建了缺失突变体Δcpomt及其互补转化株。与野生型EP155相比,Δcpomt菌株生长缓慢,色素分泌减少,产孢量降低,菌丝形态异常,对休眠板栗树枝的致病性显著降低。而在互补转化株Δcpomt-com中,这些表型及致病力变化均可以恢复到野生型水平。cpomt基因的缺失对低毒病毒CHV1-EP713的复制累积量没有影响,但导致抗逆相关基因G-α,产孢基因CLS-32,色素合成酶基因PKS转录水平明显下调。本研究为阐明甲基转移酶在病原真菌中的作用提供了新的知识。     

板栗疫病菌ntl基因的功能研究

板栗疫病菌(Cryphonectria parasitica)是引起板栗疫病的病原真菌。在实验室前期研究中,获得了一个不支持病毒复制且丧失致病力的板栗疫病菌紫外诱变突变株UV57。与野生型菌株EP155相比,UV57中检测不到蛋白100472的表达。为研究蛋白100472的功能,我们构建了编码100472蛋白的ntl基因的缺失突变体△ntl及其互补转化株△ntl-com。与野生型EP155相比,△ntl菌株表型不变,但对休眠板栗树枝的致病性明显降低,而互补转化株△ntl-com的致病力与野生型没有区别。ntl基因的缺失不影响低毒病毒CHV1-EP713的复制累积量,但导致参与G蛋白信号传导途径的cpga1、cpgb1、cpgc1和ste12基因以及参与MAPK途径的cpmk1转录水平明显下调。本研究结果为阐明病原真菌致病机制提供了新的知识。     

在板栗疫病菌线粒体中检出低毒病毒编码蛋白p29

p29蛋白是低毒病毒基因组编码的一个木瓜蛋白酶样蛋白。前人研究发现,在宿主板栗疫病菌(Cryphonectria parasitica)体内表达p29,会引起真菌毒力降低,色素产生减少,丧失产生无性孢子的能力。除已知p29与源于高尔基体的膜结构共分离之外,p29在细胞内的其它分布形式未明。本研究在成功制备p29特异抗体和高效分离板栗疫病菌线粒体的基础上,尝试用p29抗体检测线粒体中是否存在p29蛋白。Western印迹结果表明,受CHV1-EP713感染的EP713菌株线粒体中存在与p29抗体特异作用的病毒蛋白。本研究结果暗示,低毒病毒蛋白p29可能参与调控宿主线粒体功能。     

板栗疫病菌致病力分化的研究

中国板栗(Castanea mollissima Blume)对板栗疫病菌(Cryphonectria parasitica(Murr.)Barr)具有强的抗病力。但近十多年来,我国许多省份均发现有板栗疫病,据调查,广西有19个县市存在栗疫病,有的地方发病还相当严重。为了解释疫病发生的上述情况,并为生产和该病菌的更深入研究提供指导,作者在广西桂林、南宁、柳州、梧州、河池等地收集菌株,对疫病菌致病性的分化进行了研究,现将结果报道如下。 1 材料和方法 1.1 毒力参照菌株 法国已知弱毒株EPF为毒力参照株。 1.2 栗疫病菌的采集、分离和单孢纯化 1.2.1 标本采集:1988年12月～1989年6月,采自广西桂林、南宁、柳州、梧州、河池等地板栗病株。 1.2.2 菌株分离和纯化:将病枝或病树皮,用经灯焰灼烧过的刀片削去表皮,取坏死内皮约5×5mm^2,压于PDA上,28℃,光照培养,产孢后用微块法进行单孢纯化。 1.3     

板栗疫病菌cpfluG基因的功能研究

fluG基因在许多丝状真菌中对无性孢子的发育起调控作用,然而在树木病原菌板栗疫病菌(Cryphonectria parasitica)中,无性孢子的发育调控机制尚未完全明确。本研究克隆了板栗疫病菌的fluG同源基因cpfluG,采用同源重组的方法构建了fluG基因缺失菌株ΔcpfluG。相对于野生型菌株,ΔcpfluG突变株几乎完全丧失产孢能力,色素分泌显著减少,但致病性不受影响。cpfluG基因的缺失导致已知的产孢相关基因cls-31表达量显著下调,但不影响pks基因和cls-32的表达。本研究结果揭示,fluG是板栗疫病菌孢子发育调控的一个关键成员,但板栗疫病菌分生孢子发育的调控细节可能有别于已报道的丝状真菌。     

病毒基因沉默抑制子及其作用机制

基因沉默或RNA 沉默是植物、真菌以及无脊椎动物抵御病毒侵染的重要机制, 为了应对这种机制, 病毒编码RNA 沉默抑制子抑制宿主的基因沉默, 抵抗由基因沉默介导的宿主对病毒的抗性. 病毒编码的RNA 沉默抑制子, 又被称为病毒基因沉默抑制子, 广泛存在于各种植物RNA 病毒和DNA 病毒以及部分动物病毒中. 近年来, 针对病毒基因沉默抑制子作用机制的研究表明, 病毒基因沉默抑制子通过与宿主基因沉默通路中的RNA 或者关键蛋白分子相互作用, 发挥抑制宿主对病毒的抗性以及干扰宿主正常的基因表达调控的功能. 由于植物基因沉默通路的复杂性, 病毒基因沉默抑制子的作用机制也是复杂而多样的.     

板栗疫病菌绿色荧光与红色荧光蛋白共定位载体的构建

低毒病毒-板栗疫病菌组合是研究病毒与宿主相互作用的一个优秀的模式系统.我们构建了含绿色荧光蛋白基因gfp的载体pCPXHY2GFP与含红色荧光蛋白基因rfp的载体pCPXG418RFP,并用于转化野生型菌株EP155,获得了以潮霉素为筛选标记、表达绿色荧光蛋白的转化株pCPXHY2GFP/EP155和以G418为筛选标记、表达红色荧光蛋白的转化株pCPXG418RFP/EP155.将载体pCPXG418RFP转化pCPXHY2GFP/EP155,获得的转化株能观察到绿色荧光蛋白与红色荧光蛋白共定位的现象.板栗疫病菌绿色荧光与红色荧光共定位载体pCPXHY2GFP与pCPXG418RFP的构建,为深入研究病毒与宿主相互作用的分子机制提供了强有力的研究材料.     

河北省玉米小斑病菌玉米离蠕孢dsRNA病毒的检测及带毒菌株的生物学特征

玉米小斑病是我国玉米生产上的重要病害之一,每年造成玉米大幅减产。真菌病毒能够在真菌体内进行复制和繁殖,可以作为生物防治的潜在资源。为了明确河北省玉米小斑病菌玉米离蠕孢dsRNA病毒的多样性及生物学特性,为玉米小斑病的防控提供潜在生防资源,本研究采用单孢分离的方法分离纯化玉米小斑病菌150株,通过dsRNA提取及凝胶检测的方法检测带毒率,从分离的150株玉米离蠕孢中获得10株带有dsRNA病毒的菌株。通过电镜观察及RT-PCR方法验证发现5个菌株带有Bipolaris maydis partitivirus病毒。通过原生质体脱毒的方法获得无毒菌株后比较带毒菌株的生物学特性及胞外酶的分泌。结果发现Bipolaris maydis partitivirus病毒降低了玉米离蠕孢的生长速度和产孢量,显著降低其致病力及淀粉酶的分泌。本研究明确了河北省玉米离蠕孢dsRNA病毒的多样性,明确了携带Bipolaris maydispartitivirus病毒菌株的生物学特性,为玉米小斑病的防控提供了研究基础。     

Hypovirus papain-like protease p29 suppresses RNA silencing in the natural fungal host and in a heterologous plant system

Virulence-attenuating hypoviruses of the species Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) encode a papain-like protease, p29, that shares similarities with the potyvirus-encoded suppressor of RNA silencing HC-Pro. We now report that hypovirus CHV1-EP713-encoded p29 can suppress RNA silencing in the natural host, the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. Hairpin RNA-triggered silencing was suppressed in C. parasitica strains expressing p29, and transformation of a transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP)-silenced strain with p29 resulted in an increased number of transformants with elevated GFP expression levels. The CHV1-EP713 p29 protein was also shown to suppress both virus-induced and agroinfiltration-induced RNA silencing and systemic spread of silencing in GFP-expressing transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana line 16c plants. The demonstration that a mycovirus encodes a suppressor of RNA silencing provides circumstantial evidence that RNA silencing in fungi may serve as an antiviral defense mechanism. The observation that a phylogenetically conserved protein of related plant and fungal viruses functions as a suppressor of RNA silencing in both fungi and plants indicates a level of conservation of the mechanisms underlying RNA silencing in these two groups of organisms.     

Variation in tolerance and virulence in the chestnut blight fungus-hypovirus interaction

Chestnut blight, caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, has been effectively controlled with double-stranded RNA hypoviruses in Europe for over 40 years. The marked reduction in the virulence of C. parasitica by hypoviruses is a phenomenon known as hypovirulence. This virus-fungus pathosystem has become a model system for the study of biological control of fungi with viruses. We studied variation in tolerance to hypoviruses in fungal hosts and variation in virulence among virus isolates from a local population in Italy. Tolerance is defined as the relative fitness of a fungal individual when infected with hypoviruses (compared to being uninfected); virulence is defined for each hypovirus as the reduction in fitness of fungal hosts relative to virus-free hosts. Six hypovirus-infected isolates of C. parasitica were sampled from the population, and each hypovirus was transferred into six hypovirus-free recipient isolates. The resulting 36 hypovirus-fungus combinations were used to estimate genetic variation in tolerance to hypoviruses, in hypovirus virulence, and in virus-fungus interactions. Four phenotypes were evaluated for each virus-fungus combination to estimate relative fitness: (i) sporulation, i.e., the number of asexual spores (conidia) produced; (ii) canker area on field-inoculated chestnut trees, (iii) vertical transmission of hypoviruses into conidia, and (iv) conidial germination. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant interactions (P < 0.001) between viruses and fungal isolates for sporulation and canker area but not for conidial germination or transmission. One-way ANOVA among hypoviruses (within each fungal isolate) and among fungal isolates (within each hypovirus) revealed significant genetic variation (P < 0.01) in hypovirus virulence and fungal tolerance within several fungal isolates, and hypoviruses, respectively. These interactions and the significant genetic variation in several fitness characters indicate the potential for future evolution of these characters. However, biological control is unlikely to break down due to evolution of tolerance to hypoviruses in the fungus because the magnitudes of tolerance and interactions were relatively small.     

Differential transfer and dissemination of hypovirus and nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of a hypovirus-infected Cryphonectria parasitica strain after introduction into a natural population

Biological control of plant diseases generally requires release of living organisms into the environment. Cryphonectria hypoviruses function as biological control agents for the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, and hypovirus-infected C. parasitica strains can be used to treat infected trees. We used naturally occurring molecular marker polymorphisms to examine the persistence and dissemination of the three genomes of a hypovirus-infected C. parasitica strain, namely, the double-stranded RNA genome of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) and the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of its fungal host. The hypovirus-infected strain was experimentally introduced into a blight-infested chestnut coppice forest by treating 73 of 246 chestnut blight cankers. Two years after introduction, the hypovirus had disseminated to 36% of the untreated cankers and to 35% of the newly established cankers. Spread of the hypovirus was more frequent within treated sprout clusters than between sprout clusters. Mitochondrial DNA of the introduced fungus also was transferred into the resident C. parasitica population. Concomitant transfer of both the introduced hypovirus and mitochondrial DNA was detected in almost one-half of the treated cankers analyzed. The introduced mitochondrial DNA haplotype also was found in three resident isolates from newly established cankers. The nuclear genome of the introduced strain persisted in the treated cankers but did not spread beyond them.     

Hypovirus papain-like protease p29 functions in trans to enhance viral double-stranded RNA accumulation and vertical transmission

The prototypic hypovirus CHV1-EP713 attenuates virulence (hypovirulence) and alters several physiological processes of the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. The papain-like protease, p29, and the highly basic protein, p40, derived, respectively, from the N-terminal and C-terminal portions of the CHV1-EP713-encoded open reading frame (ORF) A polyprotein, p69, both contribute to reduced pigmentation and sporulation. The p29 coding region was shown to suppress pigmentation and asexual sporulation in the absence of virus infection in transformed C. parasitica, whereas transformants containing the p40-coding domain exhibited a wild-type, untransformed phenotype. Deletion of either p29 or p40 from the viral genome also results in reduced accumulation of viral RNA. We now show that p29, but not p40, functions in trans to enhance genomic RNA accumulation and vertical transmission of p29 deletion mutant viruses. The frequency of virus transmission through conidia was found to decrease with reduced accumulation of viral genomic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA): from almost 100% for wild-type virus to approximately 50% for Deltap29, and 10 to 20% for Deltap69. When expressed from a chromosomally integrated cDNA copy, p29 elevated viral dsRNA accumulation and transmission for Deltap29 mutant virus to the level shown by wild-type virus. Increased viral RNA accumulation levels were also observed for a Deltap69 mutant lacking almost the entire ORF A sequence. Such enhancements were not detected in transgenic fungal colonies expressing p40. Mutation of p29 residues Cys(70) or Cys(72), strictly conserved in hypovirus p29 and potyvirus HC-Pro, resulted in the loss of both p29-mediated suppressive activity in virus-free transgenic C. parasitica and in trans enhancement of RNA accumulation and transmission, suggesting a linkage between these functional activities. These results suggest that p29 is an enhancer of viral dsRNA accumulation and vertical virus transmission through asexual spores.